Acer AW170D, AW1000, AW170Q, AW170 User Manual

Page 1
AW1000 Series
User Guide
AW170 F1/ AW170d F1/ AW170q F1
Page 2
Acer AW1000 Series User Guide
Acer AW1000 - AW170 F1/AW170d F1/ AW170q F1
Model Number :
Serial Number:
Purchase Date:
Place of Purchase:
Page 3

Information for your safety and comfort

Visit http://registration.acer.com and discover the benefits of being an Acer customer.

Safety instructions

Read these instructions carefully. Keep this document for future reference. Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product.
Turning the product off before cleaning
Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning.
CAUTION for plug as disconnecting device
Observe the following guidelines when connecting and disconnecting power to the power supply unit:
Install the power supply unit before connecting the power cord to the AC power outlet.
Unplug the power cord before removing the power supply unit from the computer.
If the system has multiple sources of power, disconnect power from the system by unplugging all power cords from the power supplies.
iii
CAUTION for accessibility
Be sure that the power outlet you plug the power cord into is easily accessible and located as close to the equipment operator as possible. When you need to disconnect power to the equipment, be sure to unplug the power cord from the electrical outlet.
Warnings
Do not use this product near water.
Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand or table. If the product falls, it could be seriously damaged.
Page 4
iv
Slots and openings are provided for ventilation to ensure reliable operation of the product and to protect it from overheating. These openings must not be blocked or covered. The openings should never be blocked by placing the product on a bed, sofa, rug or other similar surface. This product should never be placed near or over a radiator or heat register, or in a built-in installation unless proper ventilation is provided.
Never push objects of any kind into this product through cabinet slots as they may touch dangerous voltage points or short-out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind onto or into the product.
To avoid damage of internal components and to prevent battery leakage, do not place the product on a vibrating surface.
Never use it under sporting, exercising, or any vibrating environment which will probably cause unexpected short current or damage rotor devices, HDD, Optical drive, and even exposure risk from lithium battery pack.
This product is not suitable for use with visual display workplace devices according to B2 of the German Ordinance for Work with Visual Display Units.
Using electrical power
This product should be operated from the type of power indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power available, consult your dealer or local power company.
Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord. Do not locate this product where people will walk on the cord.
If an extension cord is used with this product, make sure that the total ampere rating of the equipment plugged into the extension cord does not exceed the extension cord ampere rating. Also, make sure that the total rating of all products plugged into the wall outlet does not exceed the fuse rating.
Do not overload a power outlet, strip or receptacle by plugging in too many devices. The overall system load must not exceed 80% of the branch circuit rating. If power strips are used, the load should not exceed 80% of the power strip's input rating.
This product's power supply is equipped with a three-wire grounded plug. The plug only fits in a grounded power outlet. Make sure the power outlet is properly grounded before inserting the power supply plug. Do not insert the plug into a non-grounded power outlet. Contact your electrician for details.
Warning! The grounding pin is a safety feature. Using a power outlet that is not properly grounded may result in electric shock and/or injury.
Page 5
Note: The grounding pin also provides good protection from unexpected noise produced by other nearby electrical devices that may interfere with the performance of this product.
Use the product only with the supplied power supply cord set. If you need to replace the power cord set, make sure that the new power cord meets the following requirements: detachable type, UL listed/CSA certified, VDE approved or its equivalent, 4.6 meters (15 feet) maximum length.
Product servicing
Do not attempt to service this product yourself, as opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage points or other risks. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified service personnel when:
the power cord or plug is damaged, cut or frayed
liquid was spilled into the product
the product was exposed to rain or water
the product has been dropped or the case has been damaged
the product exhibits a distinct change in performance, indicating a need for service
the product does not operate normally after following the operating instructions
v
Note: Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operating instructions, since improper adjustment of other controls may result in damage and will often require extensive work by a qualified technician to restore the product to normal condition.
CAUTION: Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Dispose of used batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Page 6
vi

Additional safety information

Your device and its enhancements may contain small parts. Keep them out of the reach of small children.

Disposal instructions

Do not throw this electronic device into the trash when discarding. To minimize pollution and ensure utmost protection of the global environment, please recycle. For more information on the Waste from Electrical and Electronics Equipment (WEEE) regulations, visit http://www.acer-group.com/public/Sustainability/sustainability01.htm.

Mercury advisory

For projectors or electronic products containing an LCD/CRT monitor or display: Lamp(s) inside this product contain mercury and must be recycled or disposed of according to local, state or federal laws. For more information, contact the Electronic Industries Alliance at www.eiae.org. For lamp-specific disposal information, check www.lamprecycle.org.

Tips and information for comfortable use

Computer users may complain of eyestrain and headaches after prolonged use. Users are also at risk of physical injury after long hours of working in front of a computer. Long work periods, bad posture, poor work habits, stress, inadequate working conditions, personal health and other factors greatly increase the risk of physical injury.
Incorrect computer usage may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, tenosynovitis or other musculoskeletal disorders. The following symptoms may appear in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck or back:
numbness, or a burning or tingling sensation
aching, soreness or tenderness
pain, swelling or throbbing
stiffness or tightness
coldness or weakness
If you have these symptoms, or any other recurring or persistent discomfort and/or pain related to computer use, consult a physician immediately and inform your company's health and safety department.
The following section provides tips for more comfortable computer use.
Page 7
vii
Finding your comfort zone
Find your comfort zone by adjusting the viewing angle of the monitor, using a footrest, or raising your sitting height to achieve maximum comfort. Observe the following tips:
refrain from staying too long in one fixed posture
avoid slouching forward and/or leaning backward
stand up and walk around regularly to remove the strain on your leg muscles
take short rests to relax your neck and shoulders
avoid tensing your muscles or shrugging your shoulders
install the external display, keyboard and mouse properly and within comfortable reach
if you view your monitor more than your documents, place the display at the center of your desk to minimize neck strain
Taking care of your vision
Long viewing hours, wearing incorrect glasses or contact lenses, glare, excessive room lighting, poorly focused screens, very small typefaces and low-contrast displays could stress your eyes. The following sections provide suggestions on how to reduce eyestrain.
Eyes
Rest your eyes frequently.
Give your eyes regular breaks by looking away from the monitor and focusing on a distant point.
Blink frequently to keep your eyes from drying out.
Display
Keep your display clean.
Keep your head at a higher level than the top edge of the display so your eyes point downward when looking at the middle of the display.
Adjust the display brightness and/or contrast to a comfortable level for enhanced text readability and graphics clarity.
Eliminate glare and reflections by:
placing your display in such a way that the side faces the window or
any light source
minimizing room light by using drapes, shades or blinds
using a task light
changing the display's viewing angle
Page 8
viii
using a glare-reduction filter
using a display visor, such as a piece of cardboard extended from the display's top front edge
Avoid adjusting your display to an awkward viewing angle.
Avoid looking at bright light sources, such as open windows, for extended periods of time.
Developing good work habits
Develop the following work habits to make your computer use more relaxing and productive:
Take short breaks regularly and often.
Perform some stretching exercises.
Breathe fresh air as often as possible.
Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy body.
Warning! We do not recommend using the computer on a couch or bed. If this is unavoidable, work for only short periods, take breaks regularly, and do some stretching exercises.
Page 9

Regulations and safety notices

FCC notice

This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This device generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this device does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the device off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the device and receiver.
Connect the device into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for help.
Notice: Shielded cables
All connections to other computing devices must be made using shielded cables to maintain compliance with FCC regulations. In compliance with FCC regulations, use shielded cables to connect to other computing devices. A dual­link cable is recommended for DVI output.
ix
Notice: Peripheral devices
Only peripherals (input/output devices, terminals, printers, etc.) certified to comply with the Class A limits may be attached to this equipment. Operation with non-certified peripherals is likely to result in interference to radio and TV reception.
Caution
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user's authority, which is granted by the Federal Communications Commission, to operate this computer.
Page 10
x
Operation conditions
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Notice: Canadian users
This Class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Remarque à l'intention des utilisateurs canadiens
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme a la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
Compliant with Russian regulatory certification
Notice for Australia
For safety reasons, only connect headsets with a telecommunications compliance label. This includes customer equipment previously labelled permitted or certified.
Notice for New Zealand
1 The grant of a Telepermit for any item of terminal equipment indicates
only that Telecom has accepted that the item complies with minimum conditions for connection to its network. It indicates no endorsement of the product by Telecom, nor does it provide any sort of warranty. Above all, it provides no assurance that any item will work correctly in all respects with another item of Telepermitted equipment of a different make or model, nor does it imply that any product is compatible with all of Telecom's network services.
2 This equipment is not capable, under all operating conditions, of correct
operation at the higher speeds for which it is designed. Telecom will accept no responsibility should difficulties arise in such circumstances.
3 Some parameters required for compliance with Telecom's Telepermit
requirements are dependent on the equipment (PC) associated with this device. The associated equipment shall be set to operate within the following limits for compliance with Telecom's Specifications:
a There shall be no more than 10 call attempts to the same number
within any 30 minute period for any single manual call initiation, and
b The equipment shall go on-hook for a period of not less than 30
seconds between the end of one attempt and the beginning of the next call attempt.
Page 11
4 Some parameters required for compliance with Telecom's Telepermit
requirements are dependent on the equipment (PC) associated with this device. In order to operate within the limits for compliance with Telecom's specifications, the associated equipment shall be set to ensure that automatic calls to different numbers are spaced such that there is not less than 5 seconds between the end of one call attempt and the beginning of another.
5 This equipment shall not be set up to make automatic calls to Telecom's
111 Emergency Service.
6 This device is equipped with pulse dialing while the Telecom standard is
DTMF tone dialing. There is no guarantee that Telecom lines will always continue to support pulse dialing.
7 Use of pulse dialing, when this equipment is connected to the same line as
other equipment, may give rise to bell tinkle or noise and may also cause a false answer condition. Should such problems occur, the user should NOT contact the telecom Fault Service.
8 This equipment may not provide for the effective hand-over of a call to
another device connected to the same line.
9 Under power failure conditions this appliance may not operate. Please
ensure that a separate telephone, not dependent on local power, is available for emergency use.

Notice: BSMI

xi

Laser compliance statement

The CD or DVD drive used with this computer is a laser product. The CD or DVD drive's classification label (shown below) is located on the drive.
CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT CAUTION: INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION WHEN OPEN. AVOID EXPOSURE TO BEAM.
Appareil à laser de classe 1 Attention : Radiation laser visible et invisible en cas d’ouverture. Éviter toute exposition aux rayons.
Laserprodukt der Klasse 1 Achtung: Beim Öffnen werden unsichtbare Laserstrahlen freigelegt. Setzen Sie sich diesen Strahlen nicht aus.
Page 12
xii
Prodotto laser di classe 1 Attenzione: Radiazioni laser invisibili in caso d’apertura. Evitare l’esposizione ai raggi.
Producto láser de Clase 1 Precaución: Cuando está abierta, hay radiación láser. Evite una exposición al haz de luz.
Produto Laser de Classe 1 Precaução: Radiação laser invisível quando aberto. Evite exposição ao feixe.
Laserproduct klasse 1 Voorzichtig: Onzichtbare laserstraling indien geopend. Voorkom blootstelling aan straal.

Digital audio output statement

The optical connector contains no laser or light emitting diode (LED) more than Class I.

Radio device regulatory notice

Note: Below regulatory information is for models with wireless LAN and/or Bluetooth only.

General

This product complies with the radio frequency and safety standards of any country or region in which it has been approved for wireless use. Depending on configurations, this product may or may not contain wireless radio devices (such as wireless LAN and/or Bluetooth modules). Below information is for products with such devices.

Declaration of Conformity for EU countries

Hereby, Acer, declares that this system is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC.
List of applicable countries
This device must be used in strict accordance with the regulations and constraints in the country of use. For further information, please contact local office in the country of use. Please see http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/rtte/implem.htm for the latest country list.
Page 13
Information for your safety and comfort iii Regulations and safety notices ix
1 System tour 1
System notes 2
System power 2 SATA backplane, drives and RAID 2
External and internal structure 3
Front panel 3 Rear panel 5 Internal components 7
Mainboard 8
2 System setup 15
Setting up the system 16
Pre-installation requirements 16 Connecting peripherals 17 Turning on the system 18
Power-on problems 19 Configuring the system OS 20 Turning off the system 21
3 System upgrades 23
Installation precautions 24
ESD precautions 24
Pre-installation instructions 25
Post-installation instructions 25 Configuring the storage devices 26
Accessing the drive bays 26
Hard disk drive configuration guidelines 26 Installing and removing the power supply 30
Power supply failure 31 Opening the server 33
Removing the top cover 33
Installing the top cover 34 Removing and installing the air duct 34 Replacing a system fan 35 Replacing the processor and heatsink 37
Removing the heatsink 37
Installing a heatsink 39
Upgrading the processor 41 Upgrading the system memory 44
xiii
Page 14
xiv
System memory interface 44
Installing an expansion card 52
Installing a PCI add-on card 52
4 System BIOS 53
Introduction 54
The BIOS setup utility 54 Changing configuration data 55
Main setup 55
System Overview 55
Advanced Settings 56
Boot Features 56 Power configuration 57 Processor & Clock Options 57
Advanced Chipset Control 60 Security Settings 71 System Management Settings 72
Product Information 72
IP Address 73
Remote Access Configuration 73
Event Log Configuration 74 Boot 74
Boot Device Priority 75
Hard Disk Drives 75
Removable Drives 75
CD/DVD Drive 76
Retry Boot Devices 76 Exit Options 76
5 System troubleshooting 79
Resetting the system 80 Initial system startup problems 80 Initial troubleshooting checklist 81 Hardware diagnostic testing 82
Checking the boot-up status 82
Verifying the condition of the storage devices 83
Confirming loading of the operating system 83 Specific problems and corrective actions 84
Appendix A Server management tools 89
Server management overview 90 RAID configuration utilities 91
Page 15
Intel onboard SATA RAID Creation 91 Adaptec onboard SATA RAID Creation 92
Appendix B Rack mount configuration 95
Rack installation information 96
System rack installation 98 Vertical mounting hole pattern 99
Installing the system into the rack 100
Appendix C: Acer Smart Console 105
Using Acer Smart Console 106
Software requirements 106 Accessing Acer Smart Console 107 Acer Smart Console user interface 108
System Information 108
Server Health 109
Configuration 111
Remote Control 121
Launch SOL 123
Virtual Media 124
Maintenance 126
KVM function description 127
Exit 133
xv
Index 147
Page 16
xvi
Page 17

1 System tour

Page 18
2
1 System tour

System notes

The AW1000 is a unique 1U server system with twin-mainboard configuration. With two nodes incorporated into a single chassis, there are several points you should keep in mind when working with this server.
The server has an integrated dual-port Gigabit Ethernet which supports Intel I/O Acceleration Technology (IOAT), iSCSI boot, Virtual Machine Device Queues (VMDq) and PCI-SIG SR-IOV implementation.
Each node can be installed with one or two CPUs, different memory capacities, different number and capacities of HDDs.

System power

A single power supply is used to provide the power for both mainboards. Each mainboard however, can be shut down independently of the other using the power button on its own control panel.
Although they share a common power supply, the I2C signals used for monitoring the power supply are received by the primary mainboard only. (When viewed from the front of the chassis, the mainboard on the left is referred to as the primary board and the mainboard on the right as the secondary.)

SATA backplane, drives and RAID

The system supports up to eight 2.5-inch hot-plug hard disk drives or four hard disk drives per server node. The SATA backplane works as a single backplane divided into two sections. This means that while a single power connector is used and functions such as overheating apply to both sections together, each pair of SATA drives is logically connected to its own mainboard. Consequently, RAID setup is limited to a two-drive scheme (RAID cannot be spread across all eight drives).
Page 19

External and internal structure

Front panel

The illustration below shows the system front panel.
No. Icon Component No. Icon Component
1 Server node A 8 LAN2 activity indicator
3
2 Server node B 9 HDD activity indicator
3 Hot-plug HDD
status indicator
4 Hot-plug HDD
activity indicator
5 System ID button/
indicator
6 Status/fault
indicator
7 LAN1 activity
indicator
10 Power indicator
11 Power button
12 Rack handles
13 Four 2.5-inch hot-plug
drive bays (A0 to A3) controlled by server node A
14 Four 2.5-inch hot-plug
drive bays (B0 to B3) controlled by server node B
Page 20
4
Front panel LED indicator status
LED indicator LED color LED state Status
Power indicator
HDD activity indicator
Status/fault indicator
LAN activity indicator
LAN1, LAN2)
Green On S0: Power ON
Green Blinking (1 Hz at
50% duty cycle)
N/A Off S4
N/A Off S5
Amber Blinking HDD Access
N/A Off No access and No HDD
Red On Overheat
Red Flashing 1 Hz Fan fail
Red Off Normal
Green On LAN Link / No Access
Green Blinking LAN Access
N/A Off Disconnect / Idle
1 System tour
S1: Sleep
fault
System ID indicator
Blue On System ID button
pressed
Blue Blinking IPMI-activated system ID
Page 21

Rear panel

No. Component
1 Server management port (RJ-45) (10/100 Mbps)
2 PCI card locking tab
3 Low-profile PCI expansion slot
4 Power supply module release latch
5 Power supply module handle
6 Power socket
5
7 System ID switch
8 InfiniBand port QSFP connector (only available for AW170d F1 and
AW170q F1)
9 Monitor port
10 Serial port (COM 1)
11 Gigabit LAN ports (10/100/1000 Mbps)
12 USB 2.0 ports
13 Server node B
14 Server node A
Page 22
6
1 System tour
Rear panel LED indicator status
LED indicator LED color LED state Status
System ID LED N/A Off Normal
Blue On System ID button pressed
Blue Blinking IPMI-activated system ID
LAN port LED indicators
LED indicator LED color LED state Status
RJ45 LED (Left) N/A Off No connection or 10 Mbps
Green On 100 Mbps
Amber On 1000 Mbps
RJ45 LED (Right) Yellow On Active connection
Yellow Blinking Transmit/Receive activity
Page 23

Internal components

No. Component
7
1 Hard disk drives
2 System fan modules
3 Memory modules
4 Air duct
5 PCI riser board bracket assembly
6 Mainboard
7 Power supply module
Page 24
8
1 System tour

Mainboard

Both the AW170d F1 and AW170q F1 models include an InfiniBand port at DDR (dual data rate) and QDR (quad data rate) speeds, respectively. InfiniBand is a scalable serial communications link intended for connecting processors with high-speed peripherals. (InfiniBand requires a QSFP connector.)
Model Variations
AW170 F1 AW170d F1 AW170q F1
InfiniBand Connector No Yes Yes
DDR InfiniBand No Yes No
QDR InfiniBand No No Yes
Page 25
The mainboard becomes accessible once you open the system. It should look like the figure shown below.
9
Page 26
10
No. Connector Description
1SW1 System ID switch
2 InfiniBand InfiniBand connector QSFP connector (only
available for AW170d F1 and AW170qF1).
3 VGA Video port
4 COM1 COM1 serial port
5 IPMB IPMB header (for an IPMI card)
6 LAN1/2 Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) ports
1 System tour
7 USB0/1,
USB 2/3
8 IPMI LAN Dedicated IPMI LAN port
9 JPG1 VGA Enable/Disable
10 JPL1 LAN1/2 Enable/Disable
11 BATTERY CMOS battery
12 P1 DIMM1B,
13 CPU2 Processor 2 socket
14 JF1 Front panel connector
15 JWR1 12 V 20-pin power connectors
16
17 FAN 1-4 System/CPU fan headers
18 JWR2 12 V 20-pin power connectors
P1 DIMM1A, P1 DIMM2B, P1 DIMM2A, P1 DIMM3B, P1 DIMM3A,
2
C Power supply SMBus I2C header
PWR I
Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports 0/1, 2/3
DDR3 sockets for processor 1
Page 27
No. Connector Description
19 JP10 Onboard 4-pin power connector
11
20 SATA3 -
SATA5
21 P2 DIMM1B,
P2 DIMM1A, P2 DIMM2B, P2 DIMM2A, P2 DIMM3B, P2 DIMM3A,
22 CPU1 Processor 1 socket
23 T-SGPIO1 Serial General Purpose Input/Output headers
24 SATA0 -
SATA2
25 T-SGPIO0 Serial General Purpose Input/Output headers
26 PCI-E 2.0 x16 Low-profile PCI-E riser slot
27 JWOL1 Wake-On-LAN header
28 JPSK1 Internal speaker/buzzer header
29 JWD1 Watch Dog Enable/Disable/Reset
30 JNMI1 NMI (Non-Masked Interrupt) header
SATA ports
DDR3 sockets for processor 2
SATA ports
Page 28
12
Mainboard jumper settings
No. Jumper Description Default Setting
1 System tour
1 JWD1 Enable/Disable/
Reset Watch Dog
2 JBT1 Clear CMOS Instead of pins, this jumper consists of
3 JPG1 Enable/Disable VGA Pins 1-2 (Enabled)
4 JPL1 Enable/Disable
LAN1/2
Note: Jumpers not indicated are for test purposes only.
Pins 1-2 (Reset).
contact pads to prevent accidental clearing of the CMOS contents. To clear CMOS, disconnect the power and short the CMOS pads with a metal object such as a small screwdriver.
Pins 1-2 (Enabled)
Page 29
Mainboard LEDs
13
No. LED Description
1 LE4 System ID LED indicator (rear)
2 LEB1 InfiniBand link LED indicator (only available for
3 LEB2 BMC activity LED indicator
4 LE2 Onboard standby PWR warning LED Indicator
AW170d F1 and AW170q F1)
Page 30
14
1 System tour
Page 31
2 System
setup
Page 32
16
2 System setup

Setting up the system

Pre-installation requirements

Selecting a site
Before unpacking and installing the system, select a suitable site for the system for maximum efficiency. Consider the following factors when choosing a site for the system:
Near a grounded power outlet.
Clean and dust-free.
Stable surface free from vibration.
Well-ventilated and away from sources of heat.
Protected from electromagnetic fields produced by electrical devices such as air conditioners, radio and TV transmitters, etc.
Package contents
Ensure you have the following items:
Acer AW1000 system.
Acer AW1000 accessory box.
If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your dealer immediately.
Save the boxes and packing materials for future use.
Page 33

Connecting peripherals

Caution! The server operates on 100-127/200-240 VAC only. Do not connect the system to an incorrect voltage source.
Refer to the illustration below for specific connection instructions on the peripherals you want to connect to the system.
17
Note: Consult the operating system manual for information on how to configure the network setup.
Page 34
18
2 System setup

Turning on the system

After making sure that you have properly set up the system and connected all the required cables, you can now power on the system.
To power on the system:
After plugging in the power cord, press the power button for each node. Each node can be powered on or powered off independently. You can turn on each node at any sequence.
The system starts up and displays a welcome message on the monitor. After that, a series of POST messages appears. The POST messages indicate if the system is running well or not.
Note: If the system does not turn on or boot after pressing the power button(s), go to the next section for the possible causes of the boot failure.
Aside from the POST messages, you can determine if the system is in good condition by checking if the following occurred.
The power indicator on the front panel lights up green.
The Num Lock, Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock indicators on the keyboard light up.
Page 35

Power-on problems

If the system does not boot after you have applied power, check the following factors that might have caused the boot failure.
The external power cord may be loosely connected. Check the power cord connection from the power source to the
power supply module AC input connector on the rear panel. Make sure that the power cord is properly connected to the power source and to the AC input connector.
No power comes from the grounded power outlet. Have an electrician check your power outlet.
Loose or improperly connected internal power cables. Check the internal cable connections. If you are not confident to
perform this step, ask a qualified technician to assist you.
Warning! Make sure all power cords are disconnected from the electrical outlet before performing this task.
Note: If you have gone through the preceding actions and the system still fails to boot, ask your dealer or a qualified technician for assistance.
19
Page 36
20
2 System setup

Configuring the system OS

Acer Smart Setup assists you to conveniently install your choice of operating system.
Note: To purchase the Acer Smart Setup software, contact your local Acer representative.
To start using Acer Smart Setup, follow the steps below. 1 Locate the Acer Smart Setup included in the system package. 2 Connect an external DVD drive to your system. Press the Stop/Eject
button on the DVD drive to eject the disc tray.
3 When the disc tray slides open, insert the DVD containing Acer
Smart Setup with the label or title side of the disc facing upward.
Note: When handling the disc, hold it by the edges to avoid smudges or fingerprints.
4 Gently press the disc down to make sure that it is properly
inserted.
Caution! While pressing the disc, be careful not to bend the disc tray. Make sure that the disc is properly inserted before closing the disc tray. Improper insertion may damage both the disc and the CD-ROM drive.
5 Gently press the drive Stop/Eject button again to close the disc
tray. 6 On the Acer Smart Setup setup window, select OS Installation. 7 Follow all onscreen instructions.
For more information, refer to the Acer Smart Setup Help file.
Note: The Windows or Linux OS disc is needed when you install the OS with the Acer Smart Setup.
Page 37
21

Turning off the system

There are two ways to turn off the server — via software or via hardware. The software procedure below applies to a system running the Windows operating system. For further operating system shutdown procedures, refer to the related user documentation.
To turn off the system via software:
1 Press <Ctrl> + <Alt> + <Delete> on the attached keyboard or click
Start on the Windows taskbar. 2 Select Shut Down. 3 Select Shut down from the drop-down window then click on OK.
To turn off the system via hardware:
If you cannot shut down the server using the software, press and hold the power button for at least four seconds. Quickly pressing the button may put the server in a Suspend mode only.
Page 38
22
2 System setup
Page 39
3 System
upgrades
Page 40
24
3 System upgrades

Installation precautions

Before you install any server component, we recommend that you read the following sections. These sections contain important ESD precautions along with pre-installation and post-installation instructions.

ESD precautions

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage the processor, disk drives, expansion boards, mainboards, memory modules and other server components. Always observe the following precautions before you install a server component:
Do not remove a component from its protective packaging until you are ready to install it.
Do not touch the component pins, leads, or circuitry.
Components with a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembly should always be laid with the assembly-side down.
Wear a wrist grounding strap and attach it to a metal part of the server before handling components. If a wrist strap is not available, maintain contact with the server throughout any procedure requiring ESD protection.
Keep the work area free of nonconductive materials, such as ordinary plastic assembly aids and foam packing.
Page 41

Pre-installation instructions

Perform the steps below before you open the server or before you remove or replace any component:
Warning! Failure to properly turn off the server before you start installing components may cause serious damage. Do not attempt the procedures described in the following sections unless you are a qualified service technician.
1 Turn off the system and all the peripherals connected to it. 2 Unplug all cables from the power outlets. 3 Disconnect all telecommunication cables from their ports. 4 Place the system unit on a flat, stable surface. 5 Open the system according to the instructions on page 33. 6 Follow the ESD precautions described in this section when
handling a server component.

Post-installation instructions

Perform the steps below after installing a server component. 1 See to it that all components are installed according to the
described step-by-step instructions.
2 Reinstall all components or cable that have been previously
removed. 3 Reinstall the top cover. 4 Reconnect the necessary cables. 5 Turn on the system.
25
Page 42
26
3 System upgrades

Configuring the storage devices

The system supports up to eight 2.5-inch hot-plug SATA hard disk drives. An external optical drive can also be added to the server.

Accessing the drive bays

Since SATA drives have hot-plug capability, you do not need to access the inside of the chassis or power down the system to install or replace SATA drives. Proceed to the next step for instructions.
Note: The operating system you use must have RAID support to enable the hot-plug capability of the SATA drives.
Caution! When working around the SATA backplane, do not touch the backplane with any metal objects and make sure no cables touch the backplane. Also, regardless of how many SATA drives are installed, all eight drive carriers must remain in the chassis to maintain proper airflow.

Hard disk drive configuration guidelines

Observe these guidelines when replacing or installing a hard disk drive.
Use only qualified SATA HDDs. To purchase SATA HDD, contact your local representative.
Before removing a hard disk drive, make sure to back up all important system files.
Check hard disk drive status by checking the status LED indicators on the HDD carrier.
Page 43
27
Node A control panel (primary mainboard)
Node B control panel (secondary mainboard)
The hard disk drive carriers must be installed in the following order:
Bay no. Description Node A, HDD A0 to A3 Four 2.5-inch hot-plug drive bays controlled by
Node B, HDD B0 to B3 Four 2.5-inch hot-plug drive bays controlled by
node A
node B
Determining drive status
Each HDD carrier features two status LED indicators (see page 3) to display the hard drive status. If you are replacing a failed HDD, determine which drive has failed by checking the status LED indicators.
Hot-plug HDD carrier LED indicators
Description
HDD present no access Off Off HDD access Blink Off
Green Red
Page 44
28
Removing a hard disk drive with carrier
1 Observe the ESD precautions described on page 24. 2 Remove the carrier with failed HDD.
(1) Unlock the HDD carrier latch. (2) Slide the HDD carrier latch to release the lever. (3) Pull the lever and slide the carrier out from the chassis.
3 System upgrades
3 Observe the post-installation instructions described on page 25.
Page 45
29
Installing a hard disk drive with carrier
1 Slide the HDD carrier all the way into the drive bay. 2 Close the HDD carrier lever and push the HDD carrier until it locks
into place.
3 Lock the HDD carrier.
4 Observe the post-installation instructions described on page 25.
Page 46
30
3 System upgrades

Installing and removing the power supply

WARNING! To reduce the risk of personal injury or damage to the equipment, the installation of power supply modules should be referred to individuals who are qualified to service server systems and are trained to deal with equipment capable of generating hazardous energy levels.
WARNING! To reduce the risk of personal injury from hot surfaces, observe the thermal labels on each power supply module. You can also consider wearing protective gloves.
WARNING! To reduce the risk of personal injury from electric shock hazards, do not open the power supply modules. There are no serviceable parts inside the module.
Caution! Electrostatic discharge can damage electronic components. Make sure that you are properly grounded before handling a power supply module.
Caution! Due to chassis airflow disruption, a power supply bay should never be vacant for more than two minutes when the server is powered on. Exceeding five minutes might cause the system to exceed the maximum acceptable temperature and possibly damage the system components.
Caution! Before removing or replacing the power supply, you must first take the server out of service, turn off all peripheral devices connected to the system, turn off the system by pressing the power button, and unplug the AC power cord from the system or wall outlet.
The server has a single 1000-/1200-watt power supply capable of operating at 100 to 140/180 to 240 input volts.
Page 47

Power supply failure

If the power supply unit fails, the system will shut down and you will need to replace the power supply unit. Replacement units can be ordered directly from your local representative.
Replacing the power supply
Press all main power buttons on the front of the chassis and then unplug the AC power cord to completely remove power from the system before removing the power supply.
1 Remove the AC power cord from the power supply. 2 Remove the power supply module.
(1) Press the power supply release (1) latch to release the failed
power supply module from the chassis.
(2) Use the handle (2) to pull the power supply module out of the
server.
31
3 Install a new power supply module of the exact same model.
Page 48
32
3 System upgrades
4 Push the new power supply module into the power bay until it
clicks into place.
5 Plug the AC power cord back into the module and power up the
server by pushing the power on buttons for all nodes.
Page 49

Opening the server

Caution! Before you proceed, make sure that you have turned off the system and all peripherals connected to it. Read the “Pre­installation instructions” on page 25.
You need to open the server before you can install additional components or access the system’s internal components. Refer to the following sections for instructions.

Removing the top cover

Note: Observe the ESD precautions and pre-installation instructions described on page 24.
1 Remove the four screws securing the cover to the chassis. 2 Slide the cover toward the rear of the chassis. 3 Lift the cover off the chassis.
33
4 Put the top cover aside for reinstallation later.
Page 50
34
3 System upgrades

Installing the top cover

1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 24. 2 Install the top cover.
(1) Place the top cover with the chassis so that the tabs on the
cover align with the slots on the chassis.
(2) Slide the top cover toward the front of the chassis until it is
fully closed.
3 Replace the four screws on the top cover.

Removing and installing the air duct

Caution! Always operate your server with the air duct installed to ensure reliable and continued operation.
You need to remove the air duct to perform the following procedures:
Removing and installing a processor
Removing and installing a memory module
Removing the air duct
1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 24. 2 Lift the air duct from the chassis.
Page 51
Installing the air duct
1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 24. 2 Place the air duct on the chassis so that the tabs on the air duct
align with the slots on the chassis.
Caution! Do not pinch or unplug cables that may be near or under the air duct.
35

Replacing a system fan

Each mainboard has its own set of three high-performance fans (for a total of six in the chassis) to provide the cooling for the system. Fan speed may be controlled by a setting in BIOS (see Chapter 4).
To replace a fan module
1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 25.
Warning! The system fan becomes very hot when the system is on. Allow it to cool off first before handling.
2 Remove the top chassis cover while the system is still running to
determine which of the fans has failed.
3 Remove the fan module.
Page 52
36
(1) Disconnect the fan cable. (2) Pull up the fan module and detach it from the chassis.
4 Install the new fan module.
(1) Insert the new fan module into the chassis.
3 System upgrades
(2) Connect the fan cable.
5 Observe the post-installation instructions described on page 25.
Page 53

Replacing the processor and heatsink

Notes:
Always connect the power cord last and always remove it before adding, removing or changing any hardware components. Make sure that you install the processor into the CPU socket before you install the CPU heatsink.
If you buy a CPU separately, make sure that you use an Intel­certified multidirectional heatsink and fan only.
Make sure to install the mainboard into the chassis before you install the CPU heatsinks.
When receiving a mainboard without a processor pre-installed, make sure that the plastic CPU socket cap is in place and none of the socket pins is bent; otherwise, contact your retailer immediately.

Removing the heatsink

Warning! We do not recommend that the CPU or the heatsink be removed. However, if you do need to uninstall the heatsink, please follow the instructions below to prevent damage to the CPU or the CPU socket.
37
1 Remove power from the system and unplug the AC power cord
from the power supply.
Page 54
38
3 System upgrades
2 Using a screwdriver, loosen the heatsink screws from the
mainboard.
3 Lift the heat sink away from the processor.
4 Lay down the heat sink in an upright position — with the thermal
patch facing upward. Do not let the thermal patch touch the work surface.
Page 55

Installing a heatsink

Caution! The heat sink has a thermal interface material (TIM) on the underside. Use caution so that you do not damage the TIM. If a protective film is installed on the TIM, remove it.
1 Remove power from the system and unplug the AC power cord
from the power supply.
2 Do not apply any thermal grease to the heatsink or the CPU die;
the required amount has already been applied.
3 Place the heatsink on top of the CPU so that the four mounting
holes are aligned with those on the (preinstalled) heatsink retention mechanism.
39
4 Screw in two diagonal screws (i.e. the #1 and the #2 screws) until
just snug. Do not fully tighten the screws or you may damage the CPU.)
Page 56
40
3 System upgrades
5 Add the two remaining screws then finish the installation by fully
tightening all four screws.
Page 57
41

Upgrading the processor

Processor configuration guidelines
Each server node supports two LGA 1366 processor sockets supporting dual-core or quad-core Intel Xeon processors. The supplied processors may be upgraded or additional processors installed.
Observe the following guidelines when replacing or installing a processor.
Processor 1 socket must always be populated. If no processor is installed in this socket, the system will fail to boot.
Before removing a processor, make sure to back up all important system files.
When installing a second processor, make sure it has same stepping and frequency specifications as the default processor.
Handle the processor and the heat sink carefully. Damage to either may prevent the system from functioning properly.
Replacing the processor
Warning! The processor becomes very hot when the system is on. Allow it to cool off first before handling.
1 Remove the heatsink (see “Removing the heatsink” on page 37). 2 Release then lift the load lever. 3 Open the retention plate to expose the socket body.
Page 58
42
3 System upgrades
(3) Grasp the installed processor by its edges and lift it out of its
socket.
(4) Store the old processor inside an anti-static bag. 4 Remove the new processor from its protective packaging. 5 Install the new processor.
(1) Hold the processor by its edges. Make sure the alignment tabs
on the socket fit the two notch located on the edge of the processor. The pins are keyed in such a way that you cannot install the processor in the wrong orientation without
bending the pins. (2) Insert the new processor in the socket. (3) Close the retention plate.
Page 59
(4) Engage the load lever back into place.
6 Apply the thermal interface material.
(1) Use an alcohol pad to wipe off the old thermal grease from
both the heat sink and the processor socket retention plate.
(2) Apply a thin layer of an approved thermal interface material
before installing the heat sink. Make sure that only a very thin layer is applied so that both
contact surfaces are still visible. 7 Install the heatsink (see “Installing a heatsink” on page 39). 8 Observe the post-installation instructions described on page 25. 9 Repeat the steps above to replace the second processor.
43
Page 60
44
3 System upgrades

Upgrading the system memory

System memory interface

Each processor has three memory channels (1, 2 and 3 ) and each channel has two slots - A (PxDIMM1A, 2A, 3A in blue) and B (PxDIMM1B, 2B, 3B in black). So, the system has a total of twelve memory slots. The memory slots support DDR3-1333 registered/ unbuffered ECC memory modules.
The folllowing illustration shows the processor 1 memory slots (1) and processor 2 memory slots (2).
Independent mode
For all memory modes, slot A in each channel should be populated first and then slot B. If slot A is empty, then slot B cannot be used.
For a single-processor server configuration, install the processor in CPU1 socket and the memory modules in slots P1DIMM 1A to P1DIMM 3B.
If there is a processor installed in the enable the slots P2DIMM 1A to P2DIMM 3B.
It is recommended to install the DIMM modules in the following sequence:
For single processor
Populate slot 1A first, followed by slots 2A, 3A,1B, 2B and 3B.
The memory slots for processor 2 are not available.
CPU2 socket, the system will
Page 61
For dual processors
Populate DIMM slots 1A of each CPU first, followed by slots 2A, 3A,1B, 2B and 3B.
Install DIMM modules of the same type, size and manufacturer in the same colored DIMM slots.
Memory population for independent mode
Single processor configuration
Single processor
Processor 1 P1DIMM slots
Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3
Configuration 1B 1A 2B 2A 3B 3A
A X
B XX
C XXX
D XXXX
E XXXXXX
Dual processor configuration
Dual processors
Processor 1 P1DIMM slots Processor 2 P2DIMM slots
Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3 Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3
Configuration 1B 1A 2B 2A 3B 3A 1B 1A 2B 2A 3B 3A
A XX
B XXX
C XX XX
D XXXXXX
E XXXX XXXX
F XXXXXXXXX
G XXXXXXXXXXXX
45
Notes: 1. Place DIMMs in “X” location.
2. DIMM population must correspond to the above tables.
3. DIMM modules support 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB and 8 GB DIMMS.
4. The size of each DIMM must be the same across the configuration.
5. Do not mix UDIMMs with RDIMMs.
Page 62
46
3 System upgrades
Mirroring mode
For mirroring mode, the memory contains a primary image and a copy of the primary image. Therefore, the effective size of memory is reduced by at least one-half.
Channels 3 has no function and cannot be populated in this mode.
Follow the population rules described in independent mode.
DIMM modules installed in channels 1 and 2 must be identical — 1A and 2A should be the same type, size and manufacturer. 1B and 2B memory should be the same type, size and manufacturer. However, it is not necessary for slot A to have the same memory module as slot B within a channel.
The same rule applies to processor 2.
Memory population for mirroring mode
Single processor configuration
Single processor
Processor 1 P1DIMM slots
Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3
Configuration 1B 1A 2B 2A 3B 3A
A X X NA NA
B XXXXNANA
Dual processor configuration
Dual processors
Processor 1 P1DIMM slots Processor 2 P2DIMM slots
Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3 Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3
Configuration1B1A2B2A3B3A1B1A2B2A3B3A
A X X NA NA NA NA
B X X NA NA X X NA NA
C XXXXNANA X XNANA
D XXXXNANAXXXXNANA
Notes: 1. Place DIMMs in “X” location.
2. DIMM population must correspond to the above tables.
3. DIMM modules support 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB and 8 GB DIMMS.
4. The size of each DIMM must be the same across the configuration.
5. Do not mix UDIMMs with RDIMMs.
Page 63
47
Lockstep mode
In Lockstep Channel Mode, each memory access is a 128-bit data access that spans Channel 1 and Channel 2. This is done to support SDDC for DRAM devices with 8-bit wide data ports. The same address is used on both channels such that an address error on any channel is detectable by ECC. Lockstep Channel mode is the only RAS mode that supports x8 SDDC.
Channel 3 has no function and cannot be populated in this mode.
Follow the population rules described in independent mode.
DIMM modules installed in channels 1 and 2 must be identical — 1A and 2A should be the same type, size and manufacturer. 1B and 2B memory should be the same type, size and manufacturer. However, it is not necessary for slot A to have the same memory module as slot B within a channel.
The same rule applies to processor 2.
Memory population for lockstep mode
Single processor configuration
Single processor
Processor 1 P1DIMM slots
Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3
Configuration 1B 1A 2B 2A 3B 3A
A X X NA NA
B XXXXNANA
Dual processor configuration
Dual processors
Processor 1 P1DIMM slots Processor 2 P2DIMM slots
Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3 Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3
Configuration1B1A2B2A3B3A1B1A2B2A3B3A
A X X NA NA NA NA
B X X NA NA X X NA NA
C XXXXNANA X XNANA
D XXXXNANAXXXXNANA
Notes: 1. Place DIMMs in “X” location.
2. DIMM population must correspond to the above tables.
3. DIMM modules support 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB and 8 GB DIMMS.
4. The size of each DIMM must be the same across the
Page 64
48
3 System upgrades
configuration.
5. Do not mix UDIMMs with RDIMMs.
Sparing mode (only supported on Intel Xeon Processor 5600 Series CPUs )
In this mode, if the system detects degrading memory and did not crash, the data in the failed channel will be copied to the spare channel. The failed channel is then isolated and the spare channel becomes active. However, any uncorrectable error that happens before the isolation will still cause the system to stop normal operation.
Channel 3 is the spare channel. Therefore, the effective size will be reduced by one-third.
Follow the population rules described in the independent mode.
Sparing mode requires that all three channels use identical DIMMs. 1A, 2A and 3A should be the same type, size and manufacturer, likewise for 1B, 2B and 3B. The same rule applies to processor 2.
Intel® Xeon® Processor 5500 Series CPUs do NOT support the memory sparing mode.
Memory population for sparing mode
Single processor configuration
Single processor
Processor 1 P1DIMM slots
Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3
Configuration 1B 1A 2B 2A 3B 3A
A XXX
B XXXXXX
Dual processor configuration
Dual processors
Processor 1 P1DIMM slots Processor 2 P2DIMM slots
Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3 Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3
Configuration 1B 1A 2B 2A 3B 3A 1B 1A 2B 2A 3B 3A
A XXX
B XXXXXX
C XXXXXXXXX
D XXXXXXXXXXXX
Page 65
49
Density
Rank
Bit organization
Speed
Notes: 1. Place DIMMs in “X” location.
2. DIMM population must correspond to the above tables.
3. DIMM modules support 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB and 8 GB DIMMS.
4. The size of each DIMM must be the same across the configuration.
5. Do not mix UDIMMs with RDIMMs.
Memory identification
Generally, there are some memory information printed on the label of the DIMM module. Different vendors may have different formats but
the convention is usually like this:
Item Description
Density 1GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB.
Rank 1R = Single Rank
Bit Organization
Speed PC3 - 6400 => DDR3- 800
Intel® Xeon® Processor 5500 Series CPUs support DIMM organized by 1GB or 2GB DRAM chips.
2R = Dual Rank 4R = Quad Rank Note: If quad rank DIMM is used, a maximum of only two DIMMs per channel can be supported.
This platform supports x4 and x8. Note: It is not recommend to mix DIMMs with different bit organizations in one system.
PC3 - 8500 => DDR3- 1066 PC3 - 10600 => DDR3- 1333 PC3 - 12800 => DDR3- 1600
Page 66
50
3 System upgrades
Installing a memory module
Warning! Memory of the identical size, speed and organization must be installed in the same colored DIMM slots.
1 Locate the DIMM slot on the mainboard. 2 Install the memory module.
a Align then insert the DIMM into the socket. b Push the DIMM to the socket until the retaining clips snap
inward.
Note: The DIMM slot is slotted to ensure proper installation. If you insert a DIMM but it does not fit easily into the socket, you may have inserted it incorrectly. Reverse the orientation of the DIMM and insert it again.
3 Observe the post-installation instructions described on page 25. 4 Reconfigure the system memory. See “To reconfigure the system
memory” section on page 51 for more information.
Page 67
Removing a memory module
Important: Before removing any DIMM from the mainboard, make sure to create a backup file of all important data.
1 Remove the memory module.
a Press the holding clips on both sides of the DIMM slot outward
to release the DIMM.
b Gently pull the DIMM upward to remove it from the DIMM
slot.
51
2 If you intend to install a new memory module, refer to the
previous section.
To reconfigure the system memory:
The system automatically detects the amount of memory installed. Run the BIOS setup to view the new value for total system memory and make a note of it.
Page 68
52
3 System upgrades

Installing an expansion card

Your server has two preinstalled riser cards designed specifically for use in the 1U rackmount chassis. These riser cards allow two low-profile PCI Express x16 cards to fit inside the chassis.

Installing a PCI add-on card

A riser card has already been preinstalled into each mainboard. Perform the following steps to add a PCI add-on card:
1 Open the locking tab on the PCI slot shield. 2 Remove the PCI slot shield.
3 Insert the add-on card into the PCI slot. 4 Secure the add-on card with the locking tab.
Page 69
4 System
BIOS
Page 70
54
4 System BIOS

Introduction

This chapter describes the BIOS Setup Utility for your server. The AMI ROM BIOS is stored in a Flash EEPROM and can be easily updated.
This chapter describes the basic navigation of the BIOS Setup Utility setup screens.

The BIOS setup utility

To enter the BIOS Setup Utility, press the <F2> key while the system is booting up.
Each main BIOS menu option is described in this manual. The Main BIOS setup menu screen has two main frames. The left frame displays all the options that can be configured. Grayed-out options cannot be configured. Options in blue can be configured by you.
The right frame displays the key legend. Above the key legend is an area reserved for a text message. When an option is selected in the left frame, it is highlighted in white. Often a text message will accompany it.
Note: the BIOS has default text messages built in. Acer retains the option to include, omit or change any of these text messages.
The BIOS setup utility uses a key-based navigation system called hotkeys. Most of the BIOS setup utility hotkeys can be used at any time
Page 71
55
during the setup navigation process. These keys include <F1>, <F10>, <Enter>, <Esc> and arrow keys.

Changing configuration data

The configuration data that determines the system parameters may be changed by entering the BIOS setup utility. This setup utility can be accessed by pressing <F2> at the appropriate time during system boot.
Starting the setup utility normally, the only visible Power-On Self-Test (POST) routine is the memory test. As the memory is being tested, press the <F2> key to enter the BIOS setup utility main menu. From the main menu, you can access the other setup screens. A BIOS identification string is displayed at the left bottom corner of the screen below the copyright message.
Warning! Do not upgrade the BIOS unless your system has a BIOS­related issue. Flashing the wrong BIOS can cause irreparable damage to the system. In no event shall Acer be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages arising from a BIOS update. If you have to update the BIOS, do not shut down or reset the system while the BIOS is updating. This is to avoid possible boot failure.

Main setup

When you first enter the BIOS setup utility, you will enter the main setup screen. You can always return to the main setup screen by selecting the main tab on the top of the screen. The main BIOS setup screen is shown below.

System Overview

System Time/System Date
Use this option to change the system time and date. Highlight System Time or System Date using the arrow keys. Enter new values using the keyboard. Press the <Tab> key or the arrow keys to move between fields. The date must be entered in MM/DD/YY format. The time is
Page 72
56
entered in HH:MM:SS format. (Note: The time is in the 24-hour format. For example, 5:30 P.M. appears as 17:30:00.)
BIOS Build Ver: This item displays the BIOS revision used in your system.
BIOS Build Date: This item displays the date this BIOS was completed.
4 System BIOS
Processor
The BIOS will automatically display the status of the processor used in your system and indicate the CPU type used.
Speed: This item displays the speed of the CPU detected by the BIOS.
Physical Count: This item displays the number of processors installed in your system as detected by the BIOS.
Logical Count: This item displays the number of CPU cores installed in your system as detected by the BIOS.
System Memory
This displays the size of memory available in the system as detected by the BIOS.

Advanced Settings

Use the arrow keys to select Boot Setup and press <Enter> to access the submenu items:

Boot Features

Quick Boot: Skip certain tests during POST to reduce the time needed for system boot.
Quiet Boot: Allows the bootup screen options to be modified between POST messages or the OEM logo. Select Disabled to display the POST messages. Select Enabled to display the OEM logo instead of the normal POST messages.
AddOn ROM Display Mode: Sets the display mode for Option ROM.
Bootup Num-Lock: Selects the Power-on state for Numlock key.
Page 73
57
Wait For 'F1' If Error: Forces the system to wait until the <F1> key is pressed if an error occurs.
Hit F2 Message Display: Displays "Press <F2> to run Setup" during POST.
Interrupt 19 Capture: Interrupt 19 is the software interrupt that handles the boot disk function. When this item is set to Enabled, the ROM BIOS of the host adaptors will capture Interrupt 19 at boot and allow the drives that are attached to these host adaptors to function as bootable disks. If this item is set to Disabled, the ROM BIOS of the host adaptors will not capture Interrupt 19, and the drives attached to these adaptors will not function as bootable devices.

Power configuration

Power Button Function: If set to Instant_Off, the system will power off immediately when you press the power button. If set to 4_Second_Override, the system will power off when you press the power button for four seconds or longer.
Restore on AC Power Loss: Use this feature to set the power state after a power outage. Select Power-Off for the system power to remain off after a power loss. Select Power-On for the system power to be turned on after a power loss. Select Last State to allow the system to resume its last state before a power loss.
Watch Dog Timer: If enabled, the Watch Dog Timer will allow the system to reboot when it is inactive for more than five minutes.

Processor & Clock Options

This submenu displays the status of the processor as detected by the BIOS, including items such as the processor manufacturer, type, frequency, Base Clock (BCLK), CPUID, Microcode Revision, Cache L1/L2/
Page 74
58
4 System BIOS
L3, Ratio Status, and Ratio Actual Value. The submenu also allows you to configure the processor and clock settings.
Ratio CMOS Setting: This option allows you to set the ratio between the CPU core clock and the FSB frequency.The default setting depends on the type of CPU installed on the motherboard. The default setting for the CPU installed in your motherboard is [18]. Press "+" or "-" on your keyboard to change this value.
Note: if an invalid ratio is entered, the BIOS will restore the setting to the previous state.
C1E Support: Select Enabled to use the feature of Enhanced Halt State. C1E significantly reduces the CPU's power consumption by reducing the CPU's clock cycle and voltage during a Halt State.
Important: The following feature is only available if supported by the processor and/or operating system.
Hardware Prefetcher: If set to Enabled, the hardware prefetcher will prefetch streams of data and instructions from the main memory to the L2 cache in the forward or backward manner to improve CPU performance.
Important: The following feature is only available if supported by the processor and/or operating system.
Page 75
59
Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch: The CPU fetches the cache line for 64 bytes if this option is set to Disabled. The CPU fetches both cache lines for 128 bytes as comprised if Enabled.
MPS and ACPI MADT Ordering: Allows you to configure the MPS (Multi-Processor Specifi cations) and ACPI settings for your motherboard. Select Modern Ordering if Windows XP or newer is used. Select Legacy Ordering if Windows 2000 or earlier is used.
Important: The following feature is only available if supported by the processor and/or operating system.
Intel Virtualization Technology: Select Enabled to use Virtualization Technology to allow one platform to run multiple operating systems and applications in independent partitions, creating multiple virtual systems in one physical computer.
Important: The following feature is only available if supported by the processor and/or operating system.
Execute-Disable Bit Capability: Set to Enabled to enable the Execute Disable Bit which will allow the processor to designate areas in the system memory where an application code can execute and where it cannot, thus preventing a worm or a virus from flooding illegal codes to overwhelm the processor or damage the system during an attack.
Important: The following feature is only available if supported by the processor and/or operating system.
Simultaneous Multi-Threading: Set to Enabled to use simultaneous multi-threading technology, which will result in increased CPU performance.
Active Processor Cores: Set to Enabled to use a processor's second core and beyond. The options are All, 1 and 2.
Intel EIST Technology: EIST (Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology) allows the system to automatically adjust processor voltage and core frequency in an effort to reduce power consumption and heat dissipation. Please refer to Intel’s web site for detailed information. The options are Disable (Disable GV3) and Enable (Enable GV3).
Page 76
60
Intel TurboMode Technology: Select Enabled to use the Turbo Mode to boost system performance.
Intel C-STATE Tech: If Enabled, C-State is set by the system automatically to either C2, C3 or C4.
C-State package limit setting: If set to Auto, the BIOS will automatically set the limit on the C-State package register.
C1 Auto Demotion: When Enabled, the CPU will conditionally demote C3, C6 or C7 requests to C1 based on un-core auto-demote information.
C3 Auto Demotion: When Enabled, the CPU will conditionally demote C6 or C7 requests to C3 based on un-core auto-demote information.
Clock Spread Spectrum: Select Enable to use the feature of Clock Spectrum, which will allow the BIOS to monitor and attempt to reduce the level of Electromagnetic Interference caused by the components whenever needed.
4 System BIOS

Advanced Chipset Control

The items included in the Advanced Settings submenu are listed below:
CPU Bridge configuration
QPI Links Speed: This feature selects QPI data transfer speed.
Page 77
61
Important: The following feature is only available when QPI Links Speed is set to Full Speed.
QPI Frequency: This selects the desired QPI frequency.
QPI L0s and L1: This enables the QPI power state to low power. L0s and L1 are automatically selected by the motherboard.
Memory Frequency: This feature enables you to force a DDR3 frequency slower than what the system has detected.
Memory Frequency: Allows you to force a DDR3 memory module to run at a frequency other than what the system has detected.
Memory Mode: Set the memory mode.
Independent - All DIMMs are available to the operating system.
Channel Mirror - The motherboard maintains two identical copies of all data in memory for redundancy.
Lockstep - The motherboard uses two areas of memory to run the same set of operations in parallel.
Demand Scrubbing: A memory error-correction scheme where the processor writes corrected data back into the memory block from where it was read by the processor.
Patrol Scrubbing: A memory error-correction scheme that works in the background looking for and correcting resident errors.
Bank Interleave: Allows you to set the interleave scheme for a memory bank.
Throttling - Closed Loop/Throttling - Open Loop: Throttling improves reliability and reduces power in the processor by automatic voltage control during processor idle states. If Enabled, the following items will appear:
Hysteresis Temperature (For Closed Loop only) - Temperature Hysteresis is the temperature lag (in degrees Celsius) after the set DIMM temperature threshold is reached before Closed Loop Throttling begins.
Guardband Temperature (For the Closed Loop only) - This is the temperature which applies to the DIMM temperature threshold. Steps are in 0.5 °C increments. The default is [006]. Press "+" or "-" on your keyboard to change this value.
Page 78
62
Inlet Temperature - This is the temperature detected at the chassis inlet. Steps are in 0.5 °C increments. The default is [070]. Press "+" or "-" on your keyboard to change this value.
Temperature Rise - This is the temperature rise to the DIMM thermal zone. Steps are in 0.5 °C increments. The default is [020]. Press "+" or "-" on your keyboard to change this value.
Air Flow - This is the air flow speed to the DIMM modules. Each step is one mm/sec. The default is [1500]. Press "+" or "-" on your keyboard to change this value.
Altitude - This feature defines how many meters above or below sea level the system is located.
DIMM Pitch - This is the physical space between each DIMM module. Each step is 1/1000 of an inch. The default is [400]. Press "+" or "-" on your keyboard to change this value.
4 System BIOS
NorthBridge configuration
This feature allows you to configure the settings for the Intel NorthBridge chip.
Intel I/OAT: Significantly reduces CPU overhead by leveraging CPU architectural improvements, freeing resources for other tasks.
DCA Technology: Uses Intel's DCA (Direct Cache Access) Technology to enhance data transfer effi ciency.
DCA Prefetch Delay: Used with TOE components to prefetch data in order to shorten execution cycles and maximize data processing effi ciency. Prefetching too frequently can saturate the cache directory and
Page 79
63
delay necessary cache accesses. This feature reduces or increases the frequency the system prefetches data.
Intel VT-d: Select Enabled to enable Intel Virtualization Technology support for Direct I/O VT-d by reporting the I/O device assignments to VMM through the DMAR ACPI Tables. This feature offers fully­protected I/O resource-sharing across the Intel platforms, providing you with greater reliability, security and availability in networking and data-sharing.
Active State Power-Management: Uses power management for signal transactions between the PCI Express L0 and L1 Links. Select Enabled to configure PCI Express L0 and L1 Link power states.
IOH PCIE Max Payload Size: Some add-on cards perform faster with the coalesce feature, which limits the payload size to 128 MB. Others perform better with a payload size of 256 MB, which inhibits the coalesce feature. Please refer to your add-on card user guide for the desired setting.
South Bridge configuration
This feature allows you to configure the settings for the Intel ICH South Bridge chipset.
USB Functions: This feature allows you to decide how many onboard USB ports to enable.
Legacy USB Support: Select Enabled to use Legacy USB devices. If set to Auto, legacy USB support will be automatically enabled if a legacy USB device is installed on the motherboard.
Note: Only available when USB Functions is set to Enabled.
USB 2.0 Controller: Select Enabled to activate the onboard USB 2.0 controller.
Note: Only available when USB Functions is set to Disabled. Otherwise, this item will be set to Enabled by the BIOS.
USB 2.0 Controller Mode: This setting allows you to select the USB 2.0 Controller mode.
Page 80
64
BIOS EHCI Hand-Off: Enable or disable BIOS Enhanced Host Controller Interface support to provide a workaround solution for an operating system that does not have EHCI Hand-Off support. When enabled, the EHCI Interface will be changed from BIOS-controlled to OS-controlled.
4 System BIOS
IDE/SATA configuration
When this submenu is selected, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of the IDE devices and displays the following items:
SATA#1 configuration: If Compatible is selected, it sets SATA#1 to legacy compatibility mode, while selecting Enhanced sets SATA#1 to native SATA mode.
Configure SATA#1 as - This feature allows you to select the drive type for SATA#1. The options are IDE, RAID and AHCI.
ICH RAID Code Base - Select Intel or Adaptec to launch the appropriate SATA RAID firmware to configure SATA RAID.
SATA#2 configuration: Selecting Enhanced will set SATA#2 to native SATA mode.
Primary IDE Master/Slave, Secondary IDE Master/Slave, Third IDE Master, and Fourth IDE Master: These settings allow you to set the parameters of the IDE slots. Press <Enter> to activate the submenu screen for detailed options of these items. Set the configurations accordingly. Items included in the submenu are:
Type - Select the type of device connected to the system.
LBA/Large Mode - LBA (Logical Block Addressing) is a method of addressing data on a disk drive. In the LBA mode, the maximum drive capacity is 137 GB. For drive capacities over 137 GB, your system must be equipped with a 48-bit LBA mode addressing. If not, contact your manufacturer or install an ATA/133 IDE controller card that supports 48-bit LBA mode.
Block (Multi-Sector Transfer) - Block Mode boosts the IDE drive performance by increasing the amount of data transferred. Only 512 bytes of data can be transferred per interrupt if Block Mode is not used. Block Mode allows transfers of up to 64 KB per interrupt. Select Disabled to allow data to be transferred from and to the device one sector at a time. Select Auto to allow data transfer from and to the device occur multiple sectors at a time if the device supports it.
Page 81
PIO Mode - The IDE PIO (Programmable I/O) Mode programs timing cycles between the IDE drive and the programmable IDE controller. As the PIO mode increases, the cycle time decreases.
Select Description
Auto Automatically detect the PIO mode. Use this value if the IDE
disk drive support cannot be determined.
0 Use PIO mode 0. It has a data transfer rate of 3.3 MBs.
1 Use PIO mode 1. It has a data transfer rate of 5.2 MBs.
2 Use PIO mode 2. It has a data transfer rate of 8.3 MBs.
3 Use PIO mode 3. It has a data transfer rate of 11.1 MBs.
4 Use PIO mode 4. It has a data transfer bandwidth of 32 bits.
Enabled Enable 32-bit data transfer.
DMA Mode
Select Description
65
Auto Automatically detect IDE DMA mode when the IDE disk drive
support cannot be determined.
SWDMA0 Use Single Word DMA mode 0. It has a data transfer rate of
2.1 MBs.
SWDMA2 Use Single Word DMA mode 2. It has a data transfer rate of
8.3 MBs.
MWDMA0 Use Multi Word DMA mode 0. It has a data transfer rate of 4.2
MBs.
MWDMA1 Use Multi Word DMA mode 1. It has a data transfer rate of
13.3 MBs.
MWDMA2 Use Multi-Word DMA mode 2. It has a data transfer rate of
16.6 MBs.
Page 82
66
Select Description
4 System BIOS
UDMA0 Use Ultra DMA mode 0. It has a data transfer rate of 16.6 MBs.
UDMA1 Use Ultra DMA mode 1. It has a data transfer rate of 25 MBs.
UDMA2 Use Ultra DMA mode 2. It has a data transfer rate of 33.3 MBs.
UDMA3 Use Ultra DMA mode 3. It has a data transfer rate of 66.6 MBs.
UDMA4 Use Ultra DMA mode 4. It has a data transfer rate of 100 MBs.
It has the same transfer rate as PIO mode 4 and Multi Word DMA mode 2.
S.M.A.R.T. For Hard disk drives - Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology (SMART) can help predict impending drive failures. Select Auto to allow the BIOS to automatically detect hard disk drive support.
32Bit Data Transfer - Select Enable to enable the function of 32-bit IDE data transfer.
IDE Detect Timeout (sec): Use this feature to set the time-out value for the BIOS to detect the ATA, ATAPI devices installed in the system.
PCI/PnP configuration
Clear NVRAM: This feature clears the NVRAM during system boot. The options are No and Yes.
Plug & Play OS Selecting: Yes allows the OS to configure Plug & Play devices. (This is not required for system boot if your system has an oerating system that supports Plug & Play.) Select No to allow the BIOS to configure all devices in the system.
PCI Latency Timer: This feature sets the latency timer of each PCI device installed on a PCI bus.
SR-IOV Supported: Select Enabled to enable Single-Root I/O Virtualization (SR-IOV) support, which works in conjunction with Intel Virtualization Technology to allow multiple operating systems to run simultaneously within a single computer via natively-shared PCI Express devices in order to enhance network connectivity and performance. The options are Enabled and Disabled.
Page 83
67
PCI-E Slot1 Option ROM: Select Enabled to enable PCI Express Slot1 Option ROM. This will boot the computer using a network interface unless PCI-E Slot 1 is populated with a graphics device.
PCI IDE BusMaster: When Enabled, the BIOS uses PCI bus mastering for reading/writing to IDE drives.
Load Onboard LAN1 Option ROM/Load Onboard LAN2 Option ROM: Select Enabled to enable the onboard LAN1 or LAN2 Option ROM. This is to boot computer using a network interface.
Onboard LAN Option ROM Select: Select iSCSI to use the iSCSI Option ROM to boot the computing using a network device. Select PXE to use the PXE Option ROM to boot the computer using a network device.
Boots Graphic Adapter Boot Priority: This feature allows you to select the graphics adapter to be used as the primary boot device.
Super IO Device configuration
Serial Port1 Address/ Serial Port2 Address: This option specifies the base I/O port address and the Interrupt Request address of Serial Port 1 and Serial Port 2. Select Disabled to prevent the serial port from accessing any system resources. When this option is set to Disabled, the serial port physically becomes unavailable. Select 3F8/IRQ4 to allow the serial port to use 3F8 as its I/O port address and IRQ 4 for the interrupt address.
Hardware Health Configuration
This feature allows you to monitor system health and review the status of each item as displayed.
CPU Overheat Alarm: This option allows you to select the CPU Overheat Alarm setting which determines when the CPU OH alarm will be activated to provide warning of possible CPU overheat.
Warning: Any temperature that exceeds the CPU threshold temperature predefined by the CPU manufacturer may result in CPU overheat or system instability. When the CPU temperature reaches this predefined threshold, the CPU and system cooling fans will run at full speed.
The options are:
Page 84
68
4 System BIOS
The Early Alarm - Select this setting if you want the CPU overheat alarm (including the LED and the buzzer) to be triggered as soon as the CPU temperature reaches the CPU overheat threshold as predefined by the CPU manufacturer.
The Default Alarm - Select this setting if you want the CPU overheat alarm (including the LED and the buzzer) to be triggered when the CPU temperature reaches about 5 °C above the threshold temperature as predefined by the CPU manufacturer to give the CPU and system fans additional time needed for CPU and system cooling.
CPU Temperature/System Temperature: This feature displays current temperature readings for the CPU and the System. The following items will be displayed for your reference only:
CPU Temperature: The CPU thermal technology that reports absolute temperatures (Celsius/Fahrenheit) has been upgraded to a more advanced feature by Intel in its newer processors. The basic concept is each CPU is embedded by unique temperature information that the motherboard can read. This Temperature Threshold or Temperature Tolerance has been assigned at the factory and is the baseline on which the motherboard takes action during different CPU temperature conditions (i.e., by increasing CPU fan speed, triggering the Overheat Alarm, etc). Since CPUs can have different Temperature Tolerances’, the installed CPU can now send information to the motherboard what its Temperature Tolerance is, and not the other way around. This results in better CPU thermal management.
Acer has leveraged this feature by assigning a temperature status to certain thermal conditions in the processor (Low, Medium and High). This makes it easier for you to understand the CPU’s temperature status, rather than by just simply seeing a temperature reading (i.e., 25 °C). The CPU Temperature feature will display the CPU temperature status as detected by the BIOS:
Low – This level is considered as the normal operating state. The CPU temperature is well below the CPU Temperature Tolerance. The motherboard fans and CPU will run normally as configured in the BIOS (Fan Speed Control). User intervention: No action required.
Medium – The processor is running warmer. This is a precautionary level and generally means that there may be factors contributing to this condition, but the CPU is still within its normal operating state and below the CPU Temperature Tolerance. The motherboard fans and CPU will run normally as configured in the
Page 85
69
BIOS. The fans may adjust to a faster speed depending on the Fan Speed Control settings. User intervention: No action is required. However, consider checking the CPU fans and the chassis ventilation for blockage.
High – The processor is running hot. This is a caution level since the CPU’s Temperature Tolerance has been reached (or has been exceeded) and may activate an overheat alarm. User intervention: If the system buzzer and Overheat LED has activated, take action immediately by checking the system fans, chassis ventilation and room temperature to correct any problems.
Note: The system may shut down if it continues for a long period to prevent damage to the CPU. The information provided above is for your reference only. For more information on thermal management, please refer to Intel’s Web site at www.intel.com.
System Temperature: The system temperature will be displayed (in degrees in Celsius and Fahrenheit) as it is detected by the BIOS.
Fan1 to Fan 4 Reading: This feature displays the fan speed readings from fan interfaces Fan1 through Fan4.
Fan Speed Control Modes: This feature allows you to decide how the system controls the speeds of the onboard fans. The CPU temperature and the fan speed are correlated. When the CPU on-die temperature increases, the fan speed will also increase for effective system cooling. Select Full Speed/FS to allow the onboard fans to run at full speed for maximum cooling. The FS setting is recommended for special system configuration or debugging. Select Performance/PF for better system cooling. The PF setting is recommended for high-power-consuming and high-density systems.
Select Balanced/BL for the onboard fans to run at a speed that will balance the needs between system cooling and power saving. The BL setting is recommended for regular systems with normal hardware confi gurations. Select Energy Saving/ES for best power effi ciency and maximum quietness.
Voltage Monitoring: Indicates CPU1 Vcore, CPU2 Vcore, 1.5V, 5V, 12V, CPU1 DIMM, 3.3V, 3.3VSB, and VBAT readings.
Page 86
70
4 System BIOS
ACPI configuration
Use this feature to configure Advanced configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) power management settings for your system.
ACPI Version Features: The options are ACPI v1.0, ACPI v2.0 and ACPI v3.0. Please refer to ACPI's website for further explanation: http:// www.acpi.info/.
ACPI APIC Support: Select Enabled to include the ACPI APIC Table Pointer in the RSDT pointer list.
Note: Only available when ACPI is enabled on an ACPI-aware operating system.
APIC ACPI SCI IRQ: When this item is set to Enabled, APIC ACPI SCI IRQ is supported by the system.
Headless Mode: Enables the system to function without a keyboard, monitor, or mouse attached.
Note: Only available when ACPI is enabled on an ACPI-aware operating system.
NUMA Support: Uses Non-Uniform Memory Access to improve CPU performance.
High Performance Event Timer: Select Enabled to activate the High Performance Event Timer (HPET) that produces periodic interrupts at a much higher frequency than a Real-time Clock (RTC) does in synchronizing multimedia streams, providing smooth playback and reducing the dependency on other timestamp calculation devices, such as an x86 RDTSC Instruction embedded in the CPU. The High Performance Event Timer is used to replace the 8254 Programmable Interval Timer.
General WHEA (Windows Hardware Error Architecture) Configuration
WHEA Support: Select Enabled to enable Windows Hardware Error Architecture (WHEA) support, which will provide a common infrastructure for handling hardware errors on Windows platforms in
Page 87
71
order to reduce system crashes due to hardware errors and to improve system recovery and health monitoring.

Security Settings

The BIOS provides a Supervisor and a User password. If you use both passwords, the Supervisor password must be set first.
Supervisor Password: This item indicates if a supervisor password has been entered for the system. Clear means such a password has not been used and Set means a supervisor password has been entered for the system.
User Password: This item indicates if a user password has been entered for the system. Clear means such a password has not been used and Set means a user password has been entered for the system.
Change Supervisor Password: Select this feature and press <Enter> to access the submenu, and then type in a new Supervisor Password.
User Access Level: (Available when Supervisor Password is set as above) Available options are
Full Access - grants full User read and write access to the Setup Utility.
View Only - allows access to the Setup Utility but the fields cannot be changed.
Limited - allows only limited .elfis to be changed such as Date and Time
No Access - prevents User access to the Setup Utility.
Change User Password: Select this feature and press <Enter> to access the submenu , and then type in a new User Password.
Clear User Password: (Available only if User Password has been set) This item allows you to clear a user password after it has been entered.
Password Check: If set to Setup, a password is required to enter the Setup Utility. If set to Always, the system will prompt for a password at
bootup.
Boot Sector Virus Protection: When Enabled, the BIOS displays a warning when any program (or virus) issues a disk format command or attempts to write to the boot sector of the hard disk drive.
Page 88
72

System Management Settings

Use this feature to configure System Management settings.

Product Information

This submenu displays the following product information.
System Product Name
System Serial Number
Base Board Product Name
Base Board Serial Number
UUID
NIC1 Mac Address/NIC2 Mac Address
IPMI Firmware Revision
4 System BIOS
IP Address Source: Select how an IP address is assigned to a client computer or network device. Select DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) to allow a client (computer or device) to obtain an IP address from a DHCP server that manages a pool of IP addresses and network information on a request and grant basis. Select Static (Static Allocation) to allow the host server to allocate an IP address based on a table containing MAC Address/IP Address pairs that are manually entered (such as by a network administrator). Only clients with a MAC address listed in the MAC/IP Address Table will be assigned an IP address.
Page 89
73

IP Address

Note: This feature can be changed by the user when the IP Source is set to Static.
The BIOS will automatically display the IP address of the machine. This should be in decimal and in dotted quad form (i.e., 192.168.10.253). The value of each three-digit number separated by dots should not exceed 255.
Subnet Mask: This item displays the current subnet mask setting for your IPMI connection. This should be in decimal and in dotted quad form (e.g., 192.168.10.253). The value of each three-digit number separated by dots should not exceed 255.
Gateway Address: The BIOS will automatically display the Gateway address of this machine. This should be in decimal and in dotted quad form (i.e., 192.168.10.253). The value of each three-digit number separated by dots should not exceed 255.
Mac Address: The BIOS will automatically enter the Mac address of this machine. Mac addresses are 6 two-digit hexadecimal numbers (Based 16, 0 to 9, A, B, C, D, E, F) separated by dots. (e.g., 00.30.48.D0.D4.60).

Remote Access Configuration

Remote Access: This allows you to enable Remote Access support. If Remote Access is set to Enabled, the following items will be displayed:
Serial Port Number: This feature allows the user to decide which serial port to be used for Console Redirection. The options are COM 1 and COM2.
Base Address, IRQ: This item displays the base address and IRQ of the serial port used for Console Redirection.
Serial Port Mode: Allows you to set the serial port mode for Console Redirection.
Flow Control: Allows you to set the flow control for Console Redirection.
Redirection After BIOS POST: Select Disabled to turn off Console Redirection after POST or Always to keep Console Redirection active all
Page 90
74
the time after POST. Select Boot Loader to keep Console Redirection active during POST and Boot Loader.
Note: Some settings may not be supported by some operating systems.
Terminal Type: Allows you to select the target terminal type for Console Redirection.
VT-UTF8 Combo Key Support: Select Enabled to enable VT-UTF8 Combination Key support for ANSI/VT100 terminals.
Sredir Memory Display Delay: Defines the length of time in seconds to display memory information.
4 System BIOS

Event Log Configuration

View Event Log: View the System Event Log.
Mark All Events as Read: Marks all events as read.
Clear Event Log: This option clears the Event Log memory of all messages.

Boot

This submenu allows you to configure boot settings for the system.
Page 91
75

Boot Device Priority

This feature allows you to specify the sequence of priority for the Boot Device.
1st Boot Device
2nd Boot Device
3rd Boot Device

Hard Disk Drives

This feature allows you to specify the boot sequence from all available hard disk drives. The settings are Disabled and a list of all hard disk drives that have been detected.
1st Drive
2nd Drive
3rd Drive

Removable Drives

This feature allows you to specify the boot sequence from all available removable drives.
Page 92
76
4 System BIOS

CD/DVD Drive

This feature allows you to specify the boot sequence from all available removable drives.

Retry Boot Devices

Select Enabled to allow the BIOS to attempt to reboot the system from all bootable devices after a boot failure.

Exit Options

Select the Exit tab from the BIOS Setup Utility screen to enter the Exit BIOS Setup screen.
Save Changes and Exit: When you have completed the system configuration changes, select this option to leave the BIOS Setup Utility and reboot the computer, so the new system configuration parameters can take effect. Select Save Changes and Exit from the Exit menu and press <Enter>.
Discard Changes and Exit: Select this option to quit the BIOS Setup Utility without making any permanent changes to the system configuration, and reboot the computer. Select Discard Changes and Exit from the Exit menu and press <Enter>.
Discard Changes: Select this option and press <Enter> to discard all the changes and return to the BIOS Setup Utility.
Page 93
Load Optimal Defaults: To set this feature, select Load Optimal Defaults from the Exit menu and press <Enter>. Then, select OK to allow the BIOS to automatically load optimal defaults to the BIOS settings. The Optimal settings are designed for maximum system performance, but may not work best for all computer applications.
Load Fail-Safe Defaults: To set this feature, select Load Fail-Safe Defaults from the Exit menu and press <Enter>. The Fail-Safe settings are designed for maximum system stability, but not for maximum performance.
77
Page 94
78
4 System BIOS
Page 95
5 System
troubleshooting
Page 96
80
5 System troubleshooting

Resetting the system

Before going through in-depth troubleshooting, attempt first to reset the system using one of the methods below.
To do this Press
Soft boot reset to clear the system memory and reload the operating system.
Cold boot reset. Turn the system power off and then on. This clears system memory, restarts POST, reloads the OS and halts power to all peripherals.
<Ctrl>+<Alt>+<Del>
Power button

Initial system startup problems

Problems that occur at initial system startup are usually caused by an incorrect installation or configuration. Hardware failure is a less frequent cause. If the problem you are experiencing is with a specific software application, see "There is problem with the application software" on page 86.
Page 97
81

Initial troubleshooting checklist

Use the checklist below to eliminate the possible cause for the problem you are encountering.
AC power available at the wall outlet?
Is the power supply module properly installed?
Is the system power cord properly plugged into the power supply module socket? and connected to a NEMA 5-15R outlet for 100­120 V or a NEMA 6-15R outlet for 200-240 V?
Are all peripheral cables correctly connected and secured?
Did you press the system power button to turn the server on (power on indicator should be lit green)?
Are all device drivers properly installed?
Is hard disk drive(s) properly formatted and configured?
Are the BIOS configuration settings in the BIOS setup utility correct?
Is the operating system properly loaded? Refer to the operating system documentation.
Are all hardware components compliant with the tested components lists?
Are all internal cables correctly connected and secured?
Are the processors fully seated in their mainboard sockets?
Are all standoffs in the proper location and not touching any components, causing a potential short?
Are all add-in expansion cards fully seated in their mainboard slots?
Are all system jumpers correctly set?
Are all switch settings on add-in boards and peripheral devices correct?
To check these settings, refer to the manufacturer’s documentation that comes with them. If applicable, ensure that there are no conflicts (e.g., two add-in boards sharing the same interrupt.
Page 98
82
5 System troubleshooting

Hardware diagnostic testing

This section provides a more detailed approach to identifying a hardware problem and its source.

Checking the boot-up status

Caution! Before disconnecting any peripheral cables from the system, turn off the system and any external peripheral devices. Failure to do so can cause permanent damage to the system and/ or the peripheral device.
1 Turn off the system and all external peripheral devices. 2 Disconnect each device from the system, except for the keyboard
and the display monitor.
3 Make sure the system power cord is plugged into a properly
grounded AC outlet and in the power supply module cord socket.
4 Make sure the display monitor and keyboard are correctly
connected to the system. 5 Turn on the display monitor. 6 Set the display brightness and contrast controls to at least two
thirds of their maximum range.
Refer to the documentation that came with your display monitor. 7 If the operating system normally loads from the hard drive, make
sure there is no diskette in floppy drive and no disc in the optical
drive. 8 If the power indicator is lit, attempt to boot from a floppy diskette
or from a disc. 9 Turn on the system.
If the power indicator on the control panel does not light, see
“Power indicator does not light” on page 84.
Page 99
83

Verifying the condition of the storage devices

As POST determines the system configuration, it tests for the presence of each mass storage device installed in the system. As each device is checked, its activity indicator should turn on green briefly. Check the activity indicators for the hard drive(s), DVD-ROM drive, and any other device you may have installed.
If any of these indicators fail to light up, refer to related problems listed in the “HDD activity indicator does not light” on page 84.

Confirming loading of the operating system

Once the system boots up, the operating system prompt appears on the screen. The prompt varies according to the operating system. If the operating system prompt does not appear, see “No characters appear on the display monitor” on page 87.
Page 100
84
5 System troubleshooting

Specific problems and corrective actions

Listed below are specific problems that may arise during the use of your server and their possible solutions.
Power indicator does not light
Do the following:
Make sure the power supply module is properly installed.
Make sure the power cord is connected correctly.
Make sure that the wall outlet has power. Test it by plugging in
another device.
Make sure the power indicator on the front panel is lit up green.
Remove all add-in cards and see if the system boots.
If reboot is successful, install the cards back in one at a time with a
reboot between each addition to determine if one of them is
causing the problem.
Make sure that you have properly installed system compliant
memory modules, and that they are populated according to the
system guidelines.
Make sure that you have installed system compliant processors,
and that they are populated according to the system guidelines.
HDD activity indicator does not light
Do the following:
Make sure the drive is not disabled in the BIOS setup utility.
Make sure the drive is compatible.
Make sure you have not exceeded the power budget for the
server.
Loading...